The Hague, Netherlands, June 17, 2017 -
Netherlands prevailed over
Slovakia 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-15) with
Thijs Ter Horst scoring match high 13 points to secure the spot in the Final Four.
Quick LinksFIVB Volleyball World League 2017FIVB Volleyball World League 2017 - ScheduleFIVB Volleyball World League 2017 - TeamsFIVB Volleyball World League 2017 - Media GuideFIVB.com - VolleyballFIVB.com
Latest VideosFacebookTwitterInstagramMedia GuidesThe teams started quite equivalent in the opening match of the second World League day in the Hague (4-4), but thanks to the variety and power in the Dutch attacks, the home team managed to create a gap quite quickly (8-5). Slovakia clearly felt the pressure, as they started making errors, mainly on service position, Meanwhile Thijs Ter Horst and Wouter Ter Maat launched some bombs on Slovakian ground (17-12). And just like the day before, the Netherlands also collected their kill block points (22-17). A Slovakian service that landed in the net was the typical ending of the first act: 25-20.
Slovakia was the better party in the beginning of the second set and after two Dutch technical errors, the guests led with 7-4. The Netherlands managed to take over the lead after a ‘stolen’ ball of Slovakia (9-8), but could not walk away of their Final Four competitor as they did in the opening set (18-17). When Koelewijn scored the next Dutch blocking point, Slovakian coach Miroslaw Palgut called for a time out (21-20). With Tomas Krisko on service position, Slovakia managed to equal the score at 22-22. Then Ter Horst flew in and hit an unstoppable ball, bringing his team to set point, which was eagerly cashed by Ter Maat: 25-23.
After an impressive spike from the 3 meter of Robbert Andringa, the score board showed 6-2. Shortly after that, Dutch setter Van Haarlem scored a direct service point, serving his team a comfortable lead of six points (11-5). At 13-5, Palgut substituted Radoslav Presinsky for Jan Tarabus but that neither stopped the Dutch train, despite of a fierce attack of Marcel Lux (16-10). An out serve of Milan Bencz caused the 21st Dutch point (21-13). Substitute Fabian Plak had the honor to serve for the match, a kill block of ter Horst and and Koelewijn ended the match in style: 25-15.
Matches on Sunday:
